The Legacy of Love: Estate Planning Simplified for Mothers

Are you the one holding everything together, from aging parents to kids, finances, and emotions, and wondering how long you can keep doing it all? You're not imagining it: the pressure on women in the "sandwich generation" is intense. In this deeply validating conversation, host, Sara Ecklein welcomes Johanna Eigen, a systems integrator for families navigating special needs, aging p...

Are you making one of these estate planning mistakes without even realizing it? You signed the documents. You checked the box. But what if your estate plan could still fail your family when it matters most? Even the most beautifully drafted plan can unravel if key, often overlooked, steps are missed. In this episode, host Sara Ecklein, professional trustee and founder of Trust & Honor, reveals...

Are you putting off estate planning because it feels confusing, overwhelming, or just not urgent?  If estate planning feels overwhelming, you're not alone. In this special episode, Sara distills insights from over 50 expert conversations into the clearest, most actionable guidance for women raising kids and caring for aging parents. No fluff, just the essentials that cut through the noise and...

If something happened to you tomorrow, would your successor trustee know exactly what to do, or would they be left overwhelmed and unprepared? Estate planning isn't just about signing documents, it's about setting your loved ones up for clarity and peace during some of life’s hardest moments. This episode speaks directly to women balancing family and caregiving, offering practical steps...

Have you tried talking to your parents about estate planning, only to be met with resistance or emotional shutdown? If you're a mom juggling caregiving, work, and your own family, these conversations can feel like walking a tightrope. In this episode, host Sara Ecklein is joined by Jill Mastroianni, former practicing estate planning attorney and host of the Death Readiness Podcast , to explor...

Between caregiving, motherhood, and the mental load of “doing it all,” it’s easy to forget your needs.  In this heart-felt, honest episode, host Sara Ecklein shares five quick and practical tips that are helping her manage stress while navigating a big life transition and how you can use them too. In this episode, you will: Learn how to find micro-moments of calm when life won’t slow down Discover...

Feeling overwhelmed by estate planning and unsure where to begin, especially while juggling kids and caring for aging parents? You’re not alone. Many delay planning because it feels too complicated, emotional, or just plain scary. But what if there was a clear, empowering path that helped you move from intention to action without the confusion? In this episode, you will:  Discover the 6 simple ste...

Is your estate plan truly aligned with your values, or was it just another box to check off the to-do list? Many people assume they’re “covered” because they have a will or trust in place. But without integrity—the alignment between your documents, decisions, values, and the people involved—your plan could leave behind legal messes and fractured relationships. This final episode of our three-part...

Is the person you were ten years ago making decisions for your family’s future today? Too many approach estate planning as a one-and-done task, missing a crucial truth: your identity and life evolves. And when your plan stays stuck in the past, it can't reflect who you’ve become, or the legacy you truly want to leave. If you're juggling caregiving, motherhood, and building a life aligned...

What if your estate plan could tell your story, not just divide your assets? Too often, estate planning is reduced to legal documents and a list of assets. But if you’re a woman balancing the care of your children and your aging parents, you know your legacy is about more than money, it's about meaning.  This episode helps you move beyond fear and start with intention, so your plan becomes a...

What will your children say about you at your funeral? As mothers in the sandwich generation, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life - juggling work, caregiving, and constant to-dos, while delaying the deeper question of legacy. This episode offers a powerful pause to reevaluate what truly matters and how you're showing up now, not just for your family’s future, but for today. In...

Mothers, Before You Hire an Estate Planning Attorney — Listen to This First If you're a mother thinking about your family's future, you already know how important it is to protect what matters most. But how do you find the right estate planning attorney — one who sees the full picture of your life, your legacy, and your values? In this episode of The Legacy of Love , host Sara Ecklein sh...

Are you part of a family business—or raising a child while running one—and wondering what a successful succession plan actually looks like? Family businesses are built with heart, legacy, and relationships, but succession can quickly become a source of stress, confusion, or even conflict. Whether you’re a business owner eyeing retirement or a next-gen leader stepping into a bigger role, this episo...

Are you avoiding estate planning—but can't really explain why? It's not just about time, money, or overwhelm. In this episode of Legacy of Love , host Sara Ecklein reveals the deeper reason we delay this critical work and how that resistance could jeopardize the very legacy we hope to leave behind. If you're raising kids and caring for aging parents, estate planning might feel like...

What would you do if your spouse had just six months left to live? Grief is often a topic we avoid—until life forces it upon us. In this deeply moving episode of the Legacy of Love Podcast , host Sara Ecklein sits down with Amy Shaw, a mother of 10, widow, and author of Navigating Goodbye , who faced unimaginable loss and found strength through radical acceptance and faith. Whether you're sup...

If tomorrow never comes, will your family be left with love—or just unanswered questions? Most people wait too long to talk about death, until it’s too late. But what you do now determines how your family will heal, remember, and carry on. In this powerful episode, grief counselor and death doula Dr. Kimberly Harms reveals how to create an emotional legacy that comforts and guides your loved ones...

What happens when no one agrees on who should manage a loved one’s care or their money?  This week, Sara shares her recent guest appearance on The Death Readiness Podcast with host Jill Mastroianni.  Many families avoid estate planning and care conversations, only to face conflict, confusion, or crisis when decisions can no longer be delayed. This episode reveals how early, intentional planning ro...

Financial fraud targets more than money—it preys on trust. Uncover the warning signs and take steps to protect your family. In this eye-opening episode, Sara Ecklein sits down with forensic accountant Kelly Todd to uncover how financial misconduct often begins quietly, close to home, and why older adults are especially at risk. From emotional manipulation to overlooked red flags, this conversation...

You’ve secured your assets, but what about your email, cloud storage, and online identity? Most estate plans focus on wills, trusts, and life insurance, but forget the digital footprint we all leave behind. In this eye-opening episode, Certified Executor Advisor David Edey explains why digital asset planning is essential to avoid stress, confusion, and potential loss for your loved ones. In this e...

Is your business success translating into a lasting legacy for your family? Many entrepreneurs focus on growing their business, but overlook the equally important work of protecting their wealth and preparing the next generation. In this episode, Peter Culver shares expert strategies for designing a legacy that aligns your financial success with your family’s long-term values and vision. In this e...

We plan for birth, so why don’t we plan for death with the same care and reverence? Death is inevitable, yet most of us avoid talking about it—leaving ourselves and our loved ones unprepared. In this conversation, death doula Jill McClennen shares how end-of-life planning, grief rituals, and intentional presence can transform both the dying process and the way we live. In this episode, you will: L...

In the end, presence—not perfection—is what truly leaves a legacy. End-of-life moments offer a clarity about what matters most, but we don't have to wait for loss to start living with intention. In this heartfelt episode, hospital chaplain Christine Davies shares lessons from nearly 20 years of walking alongside people in their final days, offering powerful insights into grief, grace, and the...

Is your family navigating illness without the tools to talk about it? You’re not alone. A serious diagnosis impacts more than just the person receiving it—it disrupts entire family systems. In this compassionate conversation, therapist Chelsea Kramer explores how to support loved ones through health challenges while maintaining open communication and mental health for everyone involved. In this ep...

Estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially when you’re LGBTQ+. Traditional estate plans often miss the mark for LGBTQ+ individuals and families, leaving identity, healthcare access, and chosen family unprotected. In this episode, attorney Rebecca Secord shares how to create an inclusive, affirming plan that truly reflects who you are and the people you love. In this episode, you will: Lea...

What if supporting someone with dementia wasn’t about fixing, but connecting? Caring for someone with dementia can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to mean losing connection or dignity. In this powerful episode, Teepa Snow shares how to shift from “caregiving” to “care partnering” and reveals practical, relationship-based strategies for navigating brain change with empathy and skill. In this...